Unbeaten TinCaps led by MWL's hottest pitcher

On deck: West Michigan Whitecaps at Fort Wayne TinCaps, Tuesday through Friday.

Anthony Bass, the Midwest League pitcher of the week, will start the opener of a four-game series for the Fort Wayne TinCaps against the visiting West Michigan Whitecaps.

Bass, a Wayne State product drafted in the fifth round in 2008, is 2-0 and has pitched six scoreless innings and allowed three hits in each of his first two starts. He has struck out 10 and walked none for a red-hot Fort Wayne team that's started the season 10-0.

The newly named TinCaps, formerly known as the Wizards, own a 2.5 game lead over West Michigan (7-2) in the MWL's Eastern division. The two teams will play at the new state-of-the-art Parkview Field.

More on the TinCaps

Affiliation: San Diego Padres

Last season: Fort Wayne went 71-69 overall, going 37-33 in the first half and 34-36 in the second half, and failed to make the postseason. The Whitecaps and TinCaps met 15 times last season, with West Michigan winning eight times, including four of the last five.

Coaching: Doug Dascenzo returns for his third season at the helm.

2009 prospects: Outfielder Dan Robertson was the MVP of the Northwest League last season and set a single-season record for hits with 114 in 73 games. Outfielder Blake Tekotte batted .285 in the Northwest League.

Other top prospects include shortstop Andrew Cumberland, who has a team-best .324 average with 12 hits and nine RBIs, and first baseman Matt Clark, who also has 12 hits and nine runs scored. Right-hander Simon Castro, who will start Thursday, has allowed only two earned runs in his first two starts.

Series schedule: Tuesday through Friday; 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday.